Recording apparatus for autographic registers



Oct. 26, 1954 A. w. METZNER RECORDING APPARATUS FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 15, 1950 INVENTOR ALBZ-WT PM METZ/VER BE AT! RNEY Oct. 26, 1954 A. w. METZNER RECORDING APPARATUS FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 15, 1950 Patented Oct. 26, 1954 RECORDING APPARATUS FOR AUTO- GRAPHIC REGISTERS Albert W. Metzner, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Standard Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application April 15, 1950, Serial No. 156,118

Claims.

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for making multiple record copies from a master copy, the invention having particular although not limited application to autographic registers and like devices.

In autographic registers, sets of superposed record forms interconnected into continuous manifold strips are. presented sequentially at a record receiving position for indicia inscription upon the overlying master copy and the making of like impressions upon underlying record copies. Heretofore the transfer to the record copies has been made by interleaved carbon paper which may or may not be a part'of the continuous strip. In either event there are. present well known disadvantages of cost and handling accompanying all carbon paper uses and intensified in manifolding work. Moreover the impression made by carbon paper is superficial, easily smudged and subject to other conditions making it illegible.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of recording apparatus as disclosed herein, whereby such apparatus may not only be economically manufactured, but will be more efiicient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications, having relatively few parts and be unlikely to get out of repair;

It is a further object of this invention to ob-' viate the use of carbon paper in making record copies, particularly in an autographic register or like device.

Another object of the invention is to transfer an impression from a master copy to record copies in a manner to make the transferred impression permanent and not subject to alteration or erasure.

In carrying out the above primary objects of the invention advantage is taken of a soluble recording material, available in a variety of forms, for making the initial record on the master copy. In transferring the impression so made to underlying record copies a solvent solution is applied to such underlying copies which soaks through to the recording material on the master copy. Dissolved recording material diffuses through the record copies, penetrating the fibre thereof, so that when dry the record copies present a marking corresponding to that on the master copy and which is a permanent unchangeable part of the record copies.

A further object of the invention is to adapt the described transfer method for use in recording apparatus.

thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to create record copies from a master copy in accordance with the described method while the forms are being ejected from the recording apparatus and in a manner to present immediately usable record copies.

A further object of the invention is to provide a recording apparatus possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in View as will more fully appear in the specification, the inventionintended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein is found the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an autographic register in accordance with the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, with the cover plate removed and other parts broken away to disclose some of the operating elements of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in vertical cross section taken along a line in front of one of the pin wheels and associated set of controls;

Fig. 4 is a view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 but broken away to show the several elements comprised in the pin wheel and cam assembly;

Fig. 5 is a View taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Fig. 3, but broken away;

Fig. 6 is a View taken'substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 7 is a view in horizontal cross section, taken substantially along the line 7-1 of Fig. 3.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

For illustrative purposes, the invention is disclosed as embodied in an autographic register equipped with pin wheel feed mechanism. In structural details, apart from the record transfer features, the register is substantially the same as those heretofore known utilizing interleaved carbon paper for the making of multiple copies.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the frame or casing of the register includes side plates II and an overlying cover plate or lid 12 hinged at :3 at the front of the register. The 11d [2 has an opening l4 therein exposing the record forms resting beneath the lid on a writing table 15. The table I5 is pivotally connected at its rearward end to brackets l6 secured to the side plates H. At its opposite or forward end, the table curves downward and is received on hubs i1 (Fig. 6) of arms l8 loosely mounted on a transverse shaft 19 supported between the side plates H.

The record forms, which consist of an overlying master copy and underlying multiple record copies, comprise superposed strips of continuous series connected record forms generally indicated at 20. The forms are stored in pack form in a compartment 2| (Fig. 2) beneath the writing table at the rear of the register. From the compartment 2| the continuous strips of forms are advanced over an idler roller 22 supported between the side frames and onto the table 55. The advancing forms encounter, near the front end of the table IS, a flutter plate 23 hinged at 24 between the side plates so as to overlap the forward end of the table l5. In accordance with the initial adjustment of the flutter plate relative to the forms, the forms are either ejected from the register or fed into a compartment 25 at the front thereof, or the forms are divided by the flutter plate with some of the copies being ejected and others stored.

The record forms are preferably, but not necessarily, marginally punched for cooperation with the pin feed mechanism spaced perforations 26 appearing along the respective longitudinal edges of the forms. In the absence of positive pin type feeding mechanism, frictional feeding means may be employed.

The pin feed mechanism includes a shaft 2'! journaled in the side plates II at a point approximately beneath the outer edge of the flutter plate 23. One end of the shaft has mounted thereon a crank handle 28 lying outside the easing for manual actuation of the feed mechanism. Also rigidly mounted on the shaft 21 is a pair of pin wheels 29, one being disposed adjacent each side plate I l. Projecting radially from the periphery of each wheel 29 is a row of circumferentially spaced pins 3| engageable with the perforations 26 in the record forms. The mounting of the pin wheels 29 is such as to enable successive pins 3| to enter and project through longitudinal slots 32 (Fig. 3) in the table 15 as the wheels are rotated. The record forms are aligned on the writing table with the perforations 26 overlying the slots 32 so that the pins 3! may enter the perforations and so advance the forms.

Disposed in transverse overlying relation to the table [5, above the pin wheel shaft 21, is a clamp or tear bar 33. The bar 33 normally rests on the table [5, in clamping relation to the record forms, and presents notches 34 for passage of the feed pins therethrough. Extending the clamping influence of the bar 33 is a pair of pressure plates or feed fingers 35, one adjacent each end of the clamp bar, projecting a short distance along the margin of the forms. The fingers 35 are fastened to the clamp bar, as indicated in Fig. 5, and are longitudinally slotted to lie in embracing relation to the pins 3| as they engage the perforations in the record forms. The clamp bar 33 is carried between the previously mentioned arms l3 loosely mounted on shaft [9. The outer ends of the arms It cooperatively engage respective ends of the bar 33 and there is supported between each arm and the bar a roller 36 (Fig. 3) arranged to ride on a cam 3'? secured to the shaft 2'1. The cam 31 is formed, in the illustrated instance, with two diametrically opposed notches 38. With the roller 36 riding on the high portions of cam 3'] the assembly comprising arms 58 and bar 33 is raised, releasing the clamping pressure exerted on the record forms by the bar and pressure fingers 35. As the roller drops into a notch 38, however, the bar 33 and fingers 35 descend into clamping engagement with the forms. To insure a pressural contact of the clamp bar assembly with the forms it may be urged downward by suitable spring means, not here shown. The requirement as to number and arrangement of notches 38 is determined by the rotary distance the shaft 21 must turn to advance the strip 20 one full form length. If, as in the present instance, this distance is or one-half turn of the crank handle 28 then two notches 3B are required as shown.

Sup-ported beneath the table IS, on a vertical partition 39 and a bracket 41 on shaft 27, is a tank 42 constituting a reservoir of solvent solution. At its front end the tank 42 is formed with an expanded portion 43 open at its top to receive a saturable roll 44 composed essentially of an absorbent material such as felt. The saturable roll is fixed to a shaft 45 journaled upon the upstanding walls of the expanded portion 43 of the tank 42, adjacent the top thereof.

As shown in Fig. 3, the roll 44 lies partly immersed in the solution in the tank 42 and so is continuously moistened. The saturable roll is positioned intermediate the shaft 21 and clamp bar 33, beneath the table !5 but projecting upward through the table by virtue of a transverse opening 46 (Fig. 6) in the table. Accordingly, forms being fed along the table I5 pass over the saturable roll 44 in contact therewith. Overlying the opening 46 and saturable roll 44 is a friction or pressure roll 4? constructed and arranged to squeeze the advancing forms upon the saturable roll to soak the solvent solution carried thereon into the forms.

The pressure roll 47 is housed in a longitudinal chamber 48 in the clamp bar 33, being mounted on a shaft 49 for rotary and bodily shifting movements relative to the clamp bar. The ends of the shaft 49 have rollers 50 thereon riding on respective cams 5| adjacent to the earn 3'! and similarly fixed to the shaft 21. Each cam 51 presents a peripheral surface 52 defining an elevated area with respect to the remainder of the cam 5| and effective to raise the roll ll to the non-engaging position of Fig. 6. When the rollers 52 drop off the elevated surface 52, the roll 41 descends into frictional engagement with the saturable roll 44 and intermediate record forms. The roll 41 is continuously biased in a direction to engage roll 44, by a coil spring 53 associated with each end of the shaft 49. Each spring 53 is contained in a bushing 54 pressed into a lateral opening in the bar 33, and acts on the shaft 49 through a plunger 55.

The saturable roll 44 is positively driven in relation with the pin wheels 29. Referring to Figs. 3, l and 6, the opposite ends of shaft 45 are each surrounded by an internal ring gear 56 fixed to a pin wheel 29. On each end of the shaft, and meshing with a respective gear 56, is a pinion 51. Rotation of the pin wheels 29 accordingly effects rotation of the saturable roll 44, the construction and arrangement being such as to produce a corresponding timed relation between the surface speeds of the pin wheels and of the saturable roll 64.

In the operation of the machine, there is normally presented upon the writing table l5 a set of forms comprising multiple record copies overlaid by an original or master copy. Such set of forms, and the operating parts of the machine are then in what is termed home position. Bar 33 is down in clamping engagement with the forms since a notch 38 in wheel 3'! is presented to receive roller 36. At the same time, elevated surface 52 on the cam 5| is beneath roller 50 thereby holding pressure roll 47 elevated out of cooperative relation with the saturable roll 44.

The Writing on the master copy is done with a soluble recording material. When the desired record has been entered, crank handle 28 is turned to bring a succeeding set of forms into home position, ejecting the preceding set from such position forwardly between the rolls 44 and 47!. With the initial turning motion of the crank, roller 36 is lifted out of its notch 38 to raise the clamp bar 33 from its position of engagement with the forms on table l5. This motion is accomplished independently of the pressure roll 4'! which remains substantially in the position shown in Fig. 6. Continued turning motion of the crank rotates the pin wheels 29 and advances the forms for ejection or toward storage compartment 25. Rotation of the pin wheels efiects a corresponding rotation of the saturable roll 44 through gears 55, pins 5? and shaft 45. The time of release of the pressure roll 41 is predetermined by the cam surface 52, acting on roller 50, and will ordinarily be made to occur after the printed heading on the forms has passed over the roll 44. Prior to such time there will be no appreciable moistening of the forms by roll 44, although it is turning in the reservoir 42 and accumulating solution. When cams 52 move out from under rollers 50, the pressure roll 47 will drop, and, under the force exerted by springs 53 will press or squeeze the forms upon the solution saturated roll 44. The solvent solution will soak into the underlying record copies, and, in reaching the master copy, dissolve the recording material thereon and transfer it to the record copies, such material1 penetrating the fibre of the record copies and becoming a permanent impression therein. Using a quickly evaporating solvent solution, there is almost instantaneous drying and the forms are issued in a condition for immediate handling.

As the crank handle 28 reaches the end of its strip advancing movement, the cam surfaces 52 are efiective upon rollers to raise the pressure roll 41. At about the same time a new set of forms reaches home position in the machine and a notch 38 is presented to roller 36, allowing the clamp bar 33 to drop down and so restoring all the parts to normal, after which the ejected forms may be detached from the strips by a tearing motion, using the front edge of the clamp bar 33 as a backing therefor.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from'the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means. and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the. invention into effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an autographic register or like device for making permanent record copies from a master copy inscribed, with a soluble recording material, a table defining a home recording position for a set of record forms comprising multiple superposed record copies overlaid by a master copy, a pin wheel type feed mechanism for advancing the set of record forms to and from home position, including a rotatable pin wheel shaft transversely underlying said table, a saturable rollextending in parallel overlying relation to said pin wheel shaft and projecting upward through said table for passage of the record forms thereover, a reservoir of solvent solution carried beneath said table and receiving said saturable roll. with the roll partly submerged therein, means operable by said pin wheel feed mechanism for rotating said saturable roll in synchronism with advance of the set of record forms, a. clamp bar mounted in overlying relation to the table and arranged to descend to and be raised from a position clamping the set of forms upon the table, a pressure roll overlying said saturable roll and carried by said clamp bar for rotary and bodily shifting motions relatively thereto, spring means urging said pressure roll in a direction to squeeze the set of forms upon said saturable roll to. soak the solvent solution into the underlying record copies for a transfer of recording material from the overlying master copy to the record copies, cam means mounted on said pin wheel shaft to raise and lower said clamp bar in timed relation to the movements of the record forms, and other cam means on said pin wheel shaft to raise said pressure roll from cooperative engagement in timed relation to the movements of the record forms.

2. In an autographic register or like device for making permanent record copies from a master copy inscribed with a soluble recording material, a table defining a home recording position for a set of record forms comprising multiple superposed record copies overlaid by a master copy, a saturable roll extending transversely beneath said table and projecting therethrough, a reservoir of solvent solution carried beneath said table and receiving said saturable roll, said roll being partly submerged in the solution, means for advancing the set of forms over said saturable roll, means operated by said advancing means for rotating said roll, pressure means overlying said saturable roll and cooperable therewith to squeeze the set of forms upon said saturable roll to soak the solvent solution into the record copies for a transfer of recording material from the overlying master copy to the record copies, and means operable by said advancing means for releasing said pressure means from pressural cooperation with said saturable roll during a predetermined part of the travel of the forms through the register.

3. In an autographic register or like device for making permanent record copies from a master copy inscribed with a soluble recording material, a

table defining a home recording position for a set of superposed record forms, a transverse roll projecting upward through said table, means for coating said roll with a solvent solution, a pressure roll overlying the first said roll and biased downward in a manner to press the record forms upon the first roll and soak the solvent solution into the underlying forms for a transfer of recording material from the overlying or master form, means for advancing the set of forms from home position between said rolls, and means operating in a timed relation with said advancing means for enabling and disabling the pressural engagement of said second roll with the first roll.

4. In an autographic register or like device for making permanent record copies from a master copy inscribed with a soluble recording material, a table defining a home recording position for a set of superposed record forms having registering perforations therein, a transverse roll projecting upward through said table, means for coating said roll with a solvent solution, a pressure roll overlying the first said roll and biased downwardly in a manner to press the record forms upon the first roll and soak the solvent solution into the underlying forms for a transfer of recording material from the overlying master form, means for advancing the set of forms from home position to between said rolls, said means comprising a pin Wheel the pins of which engage the perforations in the superposed record forms, and means operating in timed relation with said advancing means for enabling and disabling the pressural engagement of said second roll with the first roll.

5. In an autographic register for making permanent record copies from a master copy inscribed with a soluble recording material, a table defining a hom recording position for a set of record forms comprising superposed record copies overlaid by a master copy, a mechanism for advancing the set of record forms to and from home position, including a shaft transversely underlying said table, a saturable roll extending in parallel overlying relation to said shaft and projecting upwardly through said table, the upper surface of said saturable roll being in the line of advance of the record forms from the home recording position, a reservoir of solvent solution located below said table in which said saturable roll revolves to pick up the solvent solution, means operable by said shaft for rotating said saturable roll in synchronism with the advance of the set of record forms, a clamp bar mounted in overlying relation to the table and arranged to descend to and be raised from a position clamping the sets of forms upon the table, a spring urged pressure roll overlying said saturable roll, cam means mounted on said shaft to raise and lower said clamp bar in timed relation to the movements of the record forms and to raise said pressure roll from co-operative engagement in timed relation to the movements of the record forms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 336,086 Boyd Feb. 16, 1886 701,447 Yawman June 3, 1937 2,093,385 Storck "Sept. 14, 1937 2,340,819 Mills Feb. 1, 1944 2,362,736 Weiss Nov. 14, 1944 

